Joseph the Dreamer

by Amy Steedman

There was the money which was the price of the corn.

Now that was all very well while the corn lasted; but when the famine still went on, and all the corn was eaten up, there was nothing to be done but to go back to Egypt and try to buy some more.

And it was no use going without Benjamin, for had not the great lord of the country declared, "Ye shall not see my face except your brother be with you."

So at last Jacob was obliged to let his precious son go with his brothers, although it almost broke his heart to part with him.

Now Joseph had been quite sure that his brothers would return, and when at last they appeared he was overjoyed to see that Benjamin was with them. He ordered a great feast to be made, and invited them all to dine with him; but still he kept his secret, and they did not guess who he was, although they could not help noticing that Benjamin was singled out for special favor.

So their sacks were filled again with corn, and the brothers prepared to set out joyfully on their return journey. Only this time Joseph had ordered his servants to put his silver cup into Benjamin's sack.

The men had not gone far before they were overtaken by the great ruler's servants, who accused them of stealing their lord's silver cup. Of course they indignantly denied this; but when the baggage was searched the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

Now indeed was their joy turned into blackest sorrow. They must go back at once to try and explain matters to the lord of the land. But would he listen to them?

At first Joseph pretended to be very angry, but as he listened to their tale and heard how they dared not face their father without the beloved youngest son, he saw that they had earned his forgiveness, and he kept up the pretence no longer. Sending all the servants away he held out his hands to his brothers, his eyes blinded with tears.

"I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt," he said. "Now, therefore, be not grieved nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither, for God did send me before you to preserve life."